Cleric Hamza 'involved in global conspiracy'
Islamic cleric Abu Hamza was involved in a global conspiracy to wage Jihad against the US and other Western countries, an extradition hearing in Britain was told today.
The American government has accused Hamza, 48 - jailed for seven years for soliciting murder and inciting racial hatred - of involvement in the kidnapping of Western tourists in the Yemen and helping to set up a terrorist training camp in the US.
The cleric is also accused of helping to fund the trip of a would-be Jihadist to a terrorist training camp in the Middle East.
He was arrested on an extradition warrant issued by the US administration in May 2004, but the process was put on hold when he stood trial in Britain and attempted to appeal against his convictions.
But a decision by the House of Lords in January this year to refuse him leave to make a further appeal against his convictions left the path clear for today's proceedings.
Hugo Keith, representing the American government, told the hearing at Woolwich Crown Court: "The general allegation is that Mr Hamza is a member of a global conspiracy to wage Jihad against the US and other western countries. Jihad carried out in numerous parts of the world - the UK, Afghanistan, Yemen and US.
"He advocated the defence of Islam through unlawful, violent and armed aggression in order to influence the US government."
The hearing was due to start yesterday but the court was told Hamza was recovering from an operation to remove a bone from one of his arms.
His barrister Alun Jones, QC, insisted before today's proceedings began that his client was still not in the right frame of mind following the treatment but Senior District Judge Timothy Workman said the doctor treating Hamza said he was fit to attend court and ordered that the case begin.
Hamza is expected in court for this afternoon's session.
